Apple iPhone 16 iPhone 16 Review
The refurbished iPhone 16 offers flagship camera quality and performance at a mid-range price, but its critically weak battery life makes it a tough sell for daily use.
The 30-Second Version
The camera is incredible, but the battery life is a deal-breaker. You'll be hunting for a charger by noon.
Overview
The iPhone 16 is a certified pre-owned flagship that's a powerhouse in a pocket, but it comes with one massive, deal-breaking caveat. The one thing you need to know is that while its camera and performance are top-tier, its battery life is genuinely bad, ranking in the bottom 40% of phones in our database. This isn't just a 'charge it at night' situation; for many users, it's a 'charge it by lunchtime' reality. If you're buying this, you're trading longevity for premium specs at a lower price, and you need to be okay with that.
Performance
The Apple A18 chip is a monster, landing in the 97th percentile for performance. That means it's fast, period. Apps launch instantly, games run smoothly, and you'll never feel like you're waiting on the phone. It's paired with 8GB of RAM, which is plenty for iOS multitasking. The surprise here isn't the speed—it's that all this power is packed into a device with such a weak battery. It's like putting a race car engine in a go-kart with a thimble for a gas tank.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Strong camera (98th percentile) 98th
- Strong performance (97th percentile) 97th
- Strong build (93th percentile) 93th
- Strong connectivity (92th percentile) 92th
Cons
- Below average social proof (6th percentile) 6th
- Below average display (29th percentile) 29th
Specifications
Full Specifications
Display
| Screen Size | 6.1 |
| Resolution | 2556-by-1179-pixel resolution |
Performance
| Processor | A18 chip |
| Processor Model | Apple A18 |
| CPU Cores | 6 |
| Storage | 256 GB |
Camera
| Main Camera | 48 |
| Camera Count | 4 |
| Front Camera | 12 |
| Video | 4K at 60fps |
| OIS | Yes |
Connectivity
| 5G | Yes |
| SIM | eSIM |
| eSIM | Yes |
Design & Build
| Water Resistance | IP68 |
| Weight | 0.2 kg / 0.4 lbs |
| Face Recognition | No |
| OS | iPadOS |
Value & Pricing
At $747 for a refurbished model, the value proposition is shaky. You're getting last-gen flagship performance and an elite camera for a mid-range price, but you're also signing up for daily battery anxiety. For the same money, you could get a brand-new phone from a competitor with a battery that lasts all day. This is only a 'value' if your top priorities are Apple's ecosystem and camera quality, and you're always near an outlet.
Price History
vs Competition
The most relevant competitor is the Google Pixel 10. For a similar price, you get a brand-new phone with a camera that likely matches the iPhone's quality and software updates direct from Google, plus almost certainly better battery life. The Samsung Galaxy S25 FE is another strong option, offering a fantastic 120Hz display (which crushes the iPhone's 60Hz screen) and excellent battery, though its camera might be a step behind. If you're dead-set on Apple but want battery life, the iPhone 16e is cheaper and has a more efficient chip, though you lose the premium camera.
| Spec | Apple iPhone 16 iPhone 16 | Samsung Samsung Galaxy S26 SM-S948UZKAXAA | Google Google Pixel 10 GA09899-US | OnePlus OnePlus 15 5011116281 | Motorola Moto G PB6V0014US | Apple Unlocked iPhone 15/15 Plus MTLY3LL/A |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Screen Size | 6.1 | 6.9 | 6.3 | 6.8 | 6.7 | 6.1 |
| Display Type | — | OLED | OLED | OLED | AMOLED | OLED |
| Refresh Rate | — | 120 | 120 | 120 | 120 | 60 |
| Processor | Apple A18 | Snapdragon® 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy | 3.78 GHz | 8 Elite Gen 5 | Snapdragon® 6 Gen 3 Mobile Platform | A16 |
| RAM (GB) | — | 12 | 16 | — | 8 | — |
| Storage (GB) | 256 | 256 | 256 | 512 | 1024 | 128 |
| Rear Camera Mp | 48 | 200 | 50 | 50 | 50 | 48 |
| Front Camera Mp | 12 | 12 | 42 | 32 | 32 | — |
| Battery Capacity Mah | — | 5000 | 4870 | 7300 | 5000 | — |
| Charging Wattage | — | 60 | — | — | 68 | — |
| Wireless Charging | — | true | false | — | true | — |
| Five (g) | true | true | true | true | true | true |
| Water Resistance | IP68 | IP68 | IP68 | IP69 | IP68 | — |
| Operating System | iPadOS | Android 16 | Android 16 | Android 16 | Android 15 | iPadOS 17 |
Common Questions
Q: Is the battery really that bad?
Yes. Our data scores it at 26.1 out of 100. With the powerful A18 chip and a battery at only 80% of its original capacity, expect to charge it at least once, if not twice, during a typical day.
Q: What does 'Very Good Condition' actually mean?
It means minor hairline scratches you can't see from a foot away, no dents, and a battery that still holds at least 80% of its original charge. It's not mint, but it should look and feel nearly new in a case.
Q: Should I buy this or a new cheaper phone?
Buy a new cheaper phone. A new Pixel or Galaxy in this price range will give you a better screen, way better battery life, and a warranty, without the 'refurbished' gamble. The iPhone 16 only wins if you're locked into iMessage and need that specific camera.
Who Should Skip This
If you need your phone to last from morning until bedtime, skip this immediately. Go get a Google Pixel 10 or a Samsung Galaxy S25 FE instead. They're brand new, have great batteries, and won't leave you stranded. This iPhone is for Apple die-hards who never leave their desk.
Verdict
We can't recommend this specific iPhone 16 configuration to most people. The terrible battery life is a fundamental flaw that overshadows its excellent camera and performance. It's a phone built for short bursts of brilliance, not all-day use. Unless you work at a desk with a charger permanently plugged in, or you carry a power bank like an extra limb, you'll be frustrated by the constant need to recharge. For everyone else, look at a new Pixel, a Galaxy FE, or even Apple's own more affordable models.